bent rudder brackets

[Russell]

I just noticed that one of my rudder brackets has a slight bulge or bend to it. I have a 96X, and it looks like they are made from aluminum. Has anyone had to replace the old style for the new SS bracket? if So how difficult is it to install and will I need new rudders?

[craiglaforce]

They make a vastly improved aluminum version of the bracket that is a direct replacement. I had one snap 2 years ago on my 97 and replaced it with the newer style. I think I ordered it from the factory. I wish I had replaced both just for the peace of mind.

I'm not sure but I think the SS bracket may not be a direct replacment.

If it shows any sign of cracking or bending I would replace it since they were underdesigned to begin with.

Mine broke from a 4 foot powerboat wake that hit me from the side as I was motoring in a narrow part of the bay. It picked the boat up and thew it sieways a few feet and when it came down into the water again, SNAP!

[craiglaforce]

Regarding the new ones that also twisted.. were they the new beefed up style or just original style? My new ones have a lot more aluminum on them (the aluminum web extends much further. A photo of them used to be on the Havencraft web site.

Thanks for the tip about the long bolt. I'll be sure to take another look at mine to see if they are bending.

[Timmy Z]

Mine broke twice. The second time I had the shop weld aluminum plates on the outside of the complete bracket (both sides). They cut holes in the plates so I could remove the bolts that hold the rudders up. This will be the second sailing season with no problems. Ill take a picture if them tonight and post it.

[norbert]

i had both (!!) brackets break on a day out on the baltic sea last summer. wind was 4-5 beaufort, sea about 3 feet, sailing close hauled. the first broke in the center of the greifswald bay, about 5 miles from the next harbour. we managed to bring the rudder up and were able to continue with 1 rudeer and engine down. we changed cours and went to a harbour downwind. to my big surprise ( "surprise" is the name of my boat) the 2nd rudder bracket snapped off just as we passed the harbour breakwater. i was very glad that roger designed my boat with a steerable outbord engine! we went home next morning on a mirror calme sea with the outboard only.

after that i tried to find some new (and hopefully stronger) rudder brackets. they are still advertised on macgregorparts.com, but with the problems reported on this board i had no hope to get the spare parts before end of season, and the handling is incredibly expensive from the u.s. to europe.

fortunatly i found help from another german 26x owner who had changed to the s/s brackets and sold me his old aluminium ones (hi hubertus, how are you?). he also told me that there is a mod to beef up theses brackets on this website. it is in the mod section under "motor", it took me some time to find it again. i brought all my brackets to a welding shop, they modified all 4 brackets like in the mod photo, and they are very strong now. i ended the season without any problem - and have now 2 spare brackets on board, although i hope never have to change them on the water!

[Don T]

Hello:
The picture on the MacGregor parts.com site is of an early 95 - 96 bracket. The later brackets differ significantly in both strength and steering ratio / leverage. The newer brackets have a longer arm section which in my case, threw off my motor / rudder synchronization but also lessened the turning force required at the wheel.

[craiglaforce]

Thanks Phil.

When my rudder bracket broke, I felt and heard it immediately but was only about 1/2 mile from the dock, returning at the end of the day so I was able to simply motor back to the slip and remove the rudder at the slip.